Adjustable weather-stripped door jamb



\ July 7, 1959 R. v. GAUTHIER 2,893,070

' ADJUSTABLE WEATHER-STRIPPED nooR JAMB Filed Nov. l15. 1957 2 sheets-sheet'l l1 5 INVENTOR;

e 28 44 Afro/:wer:

July 7,1959 v R. v. GAUTHIER 2,893,070

' ADJUSTABLE WEATHER-STRIPPED DOOR JAMB Filed Nov. 1'5. 195?i 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.

WWW v United States Patent C) This invention relates to entrance enclosure structures,

and more particularly to an improved door jamb strucl ture.` 1

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved prefabricated adjustable door jamb assembly Which is simple in construction, which is easy to install,

`and which provides a considerable saving intime and labor in the installation thereof, as compared with the installation of conventional door framing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an irnproved prefabricated door jamb assembly which involves inexpensive components, which is durable in construction, which may be easily adjusted to a true plumb condition, which is neat in appearance, and which may be installed -by relatively unskilled labor. v

`Furthervobjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, and claims, .and` from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in vertical cross section, showing a door framing assembly according to the present invention witha door installed therein.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional detail View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional detail view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view similar to Figure 2 but showing a modified form of installation ofthe door frame` members. v q

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional detail View taken on the line 5-5 of lFigure 1. l

`Figure 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of one of the hingesemployed in the assembly of Figure l.

Figure 7 is an enlarged top view of one of the vertical door framing members employed in the assembly of Figure 1.

- Figure 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged top plan view of an endportion of the top door framing member employed in theassembly of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the upper end portion of the vertical door framing member shown in Figure 7.. t

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the portion of the top door frame member shown in Figure 8.

Figure 1l is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view, partly in vertical cross section of an upper corner jointformed by connecting the vertical frame member of Figures 7 and 9 with the` horizontal door frame memportion of a threshhold member adapted to lockingly' in- 2,893,070 Patented July 7, 1959 ICC terengage with the lower end portion of the door frame member shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 12 but showing a modified threshhold arrangement wherein double threshhold elements are employed.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 17--17 of Figure 16.

Figures 18 and 19 are enlarged perspective views of fragmentary portions of the opposing threshhold members of Figures 16l and 17 illustrating the manner in which the opposing threshhold members are interconnected.

Figure 20 is an elevational view of a hinge which may be employed in the assembly of Figure 1, in place of the hinge illustrated in Figure `6, representing a modification of the assembly with respect to the hinge and its manner of adjustable securement.

Figure 21 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view showing a fragmentary portion of the vertical door frame member to which the hinge of Figure 20 is adjustably secured. y

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure l, 22 generally designates a door frame assembly according to this invention. The door frame assembly comprises the respective vertical frame members 23 and 24 which are connected at their top ends by a horizontal frame member 25, the sill of the doorway being provided between the vertical door frame members 23 and 24 with a threshhold member 26.

As shown in Figure 2, the vertical door frame member 23 is generally channel-shaped, having the outer opposing main flanges 27 and 28 and having the transverse web portions 29 and 30 which merge with an intermediate channel member 31 formed between the transverse portions 29 and 30, the channel member 31 comprising the opposing wall portions 32 and 33 and the connecting transverse wall portion 34. The outer surface of the wall portion 33 of the auxiliary channel 31 is formed with a longitudinal groove in which is secured a weather strip element 35 of suitable deformable sealing material, such as felt or the like.

The vertical frame member 23 is secured on an inner channel-shaped frame member 36 which is formed With the inwardly facing marginal channel elements 37 and 38 at its respective edges, the yinturned flanges of the auxiliary channels 37 and 38 being lockingly interengageable with the inner plate member 39 of a sheet metal wall tie element, in the case of masonry wall construction, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative arrangement where the assembly is employed with wood framing, in which case a pair of hook bolts 40, 40 are engaged through the vertical wall frame member 41, and are lockingly engaged with'the inturned anges 37 and 38 to secure the inner frame vmember 36 rigidly to the Vertical frame element 41 at the doorway opening of the wall.

The inner vertical member 36 is formed with spaced inwardly extending, internally threaded anchor sleeves 42, and the outer member 23 is secured to the inner member by respective fastening bolts 44 engaged through the flanges 27 and 28 of the outer member and threadedly engaged in the anchor sleeve 42 of the inner member 36.

The opposing vertical door frame member 24 is secured in place in the same manner as the door frame member 23.

The top member 25 is of the same cross sectional shape as the vertical frame members 23 and 24, the members 23 and 24 being of identical cross sectional shape, as will be apparent from Figlre l. The vertical frame members 23 and 24 are provided at their top edges with upstanding bendable prongs 45, the auxiliary channel 3 elements 3"'1 of said vertical frame members being cut away, as shown at 46, whereby to definev a stepped configuration at the top ends of said vertical frame members 23 and 24. The top frame member 25 is similarly 'cut away yat its Lendgfasshown "at '47, vwherebyl the end of its auxiliarychannel elemeritV-is" inwardly offset 4sufficiently -to 4all'ow "the'e'rid 'o'f the horizontal top member 25 to lit over the top end'ftlieadjacent vertical frame member 23 or 2'4. vThe 'horizontalsurfaces of the top member 25 'ehgageabl'e Awith 'the top end edges of the members 23 and 24 are formed with apertures 48 in which the pstanding l'u'g`s-45 ar'ereceived, said upstanding lugs being thereafter be'nt over to securely clamp the horizontal top member -25't`o` the top ends of the vertical 'frame members 23 and'24, as' shown in Figure l1.

Theoutersurfacefof the wall 'ffthefauxiliary channel of' the top Vnrember'ZSy ispr'ovided with asealing strip 49 of weather strip materiahfsimilar tothe weather strip 'elements `35 1provided`in-the channel wall 'portions 33 associated with the vertical f ramemembers 23 and 24, the strip 49' being copla'nar with lthe weather strip velements 35, as shown in Figure 1, whereby to sealiugly engage with a 'door 'Stlhinged in the doorway structure.

The threshhold member 26 is provided with-the depending marginal' 'rib elements i51- and 52' which are formed with dovetailed groovesfsimilar -to the dovetailed grooves provided Vfor the'weath'er strip4 elements 35 and 49, as illustrated in Figure 18, `in which are received respective deformablesealing strips 53 and 54 engageable' with the 'oor surface beneath the-threshholdfmem- Yber 26. The ends of 'the threshhold member 26 are formed with spaced lugs 55,.as shown inFigtire'l'Sfwhich are Vlockinglyreceivable in apertures '6 provided in the lower end portions of the web elements, 3,4 of the side frame members 23 and 24, as shown in Figure 14. The threshhold member 26- is formed in -its vertical end surface 58 with a doveta'iled groove fin which is secured a.- deformable weather stripelemcnt V59 which is` thus supported in coplanar relationship with the weather strip elements 35 and 49 and is'sealinglyfengageable'with the door 50. A. i

An auxiliary threshhold rriein'ber60 may beempl'oyed, as shown-in Figuresv 16, 17,- 18 and 19, the auxiliary threshhold member 60 being fastened tothe underlying oor. surface -by suitable screws 61,-the threshhold'member 60 being generally similar in shape to the main threshhold member 60' and opposing same, the auxiliary threshhold member 60.V being provided with the4 spaced longitudinal bottom ribs `62 and 63 at .its respective margins, said ribs being formed withdovetailed grooves yin which are secured deformable sealing strips 64 and 65, as shown in Figure 19. The end'surface of the threshhold member 60 opposing the main threshhold member 26 vis formed withv a longitudinal groove 65 shaped and located to receive the weather strip element '59 of the main threshhold member 2650 that the mating threshhold elements 60 and 26 will be substantially sealinglyunited Tin the manner illustrated inLFigure 17. The top surface of the auxiliary threshhold member 60 is formed lwith'a dovetail groove in which is secured van outwardly facing weather strip elementV 66 adapted to`sealingl`y engage the-'bottom edge of the door 50v employed inthe doorway.

The door 50 isV supportedomspaced, hinges"70 said binges.-beinggsecuredyto the vertical door frame member 2 3, AThus,A the hinges 70 compriserespective leaves 7l and 72., The leaves 71 are engaged throughvertical slots formed in the flange 24 of the frame member ,23 and are lsecured ,to the inside surface yof the web element 30 by screws 74 engagedthrough vthe web element 30 'and threadedly engaged with the leaf 71 in tapped openings 75 provided therein.` The leaf 72 ,of each hinge 70 is proyidedyith the. ltlorizy'ntallyv elongated ,slots 76 which are employed to fasten 1eaf`72'to the edge of door 50,

embedded in the edge portion of door 50, as shown in Figure 4. The slots 76 are beveled, as shown in Figure 6, whereby to receive the screw heads and to provide a flush coniiguration of the screw heads with respect to the leaf 72. The provision of the horizontally elongated slots 76 allows the door 50 to be adjusted relative to the hinge pin beforethe screws 77 are tightened.

Each leaf member 71 is provided at its intermediate portion with an arcuate projection 78 which extends through an apertureprovided therefor in theweb element 30, as shown in Figure 5, and which is receivable in a correspondingly -located aperture 79 provided in the mating hinge leaf 72, the door,50. being recessed at its edge to receive the projection 78 when the door is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 5.

Alternatively, the web element 3ft may be provided with -the horizontally elongated slots 76', as shown in Figure 2l, andthe leaf 472 of eachliin'ge may beprovided with the threaded openings 75', whereby the'leaves 72 are engaged through the vertical slots in the ange 28 and are adjustably "secured to thefniember v23 by Vbolts engaged through the lslots 76' and threadedly Vengaged inthe tapped opening The leaf 71 may be thus 'provided merely with'openings through which's'crews 77 may be passed to secure --the leaf 71 to the edge of a door 50. Figures 2i) and '2l illustrate' the above described` alternative hinge construction, whereby adjustment of the door relative tothe' member 23 may be obtained.v i

As shown in Figures 1` and 3, a conventional door lock assembly 80 may be employedin the free vertical marginal portion of the door 50, `the door lockfhaving the usual bevel latch bolt\81` 'which' is engageable with an apertured striker-plate 82'secur'ed tothe outer auxiliary web element .30-o`f` the vertical frame member 24. The web element 30' is apertured to receiveb the bolt 81, as shown in Figure 3. Said web element 30 is preferably recessed to receive the striker plate 82, in the manner illustrated in Figure 3.

As shown in the drawings, -the auxiliary channels 31 are preferably locatedlmidway between the opposite side flanges 27 and 28 ofthe side framemembersZS and 24 and the horizontal top frame member 25, so that a door may be mounted on either side of the door frame, the marginal portions of the sides and top vof the door being receivable inV recesses defined on opposite sides of the auxiliary channels. Thus, slots may be provided in either the main side flanges 28 Vor the main side flanges 27 to receive the leaves'lof the` hinge units'for securing the hinge units to the sideV frame members. I

The anges of the inner channelelement's are sufiiciently flexible so that they may be flexed outwardly sufficiently to engagelaround the side edges of the plate elements 39 in the form of installation-'shown'inFigure 2 or around the hook elements 40 in the form shown in Figure 4. n i

The -inner channel members 36 vare preferably filled ,in any suitable manner, forexample, with mortar, so that they become completely rigid `after installation and provide a secure support for the frame 'members which are subsequently fastened thereto.

As will be readily` apparent,;.the ,door jamb 4assembly canr beA adjusted: toan absolutely plumb condition by the adjustment of the fastening bolts 14.V Furthermore, the adjustability of the hinges allowsthezassociated door tobe adjustedso-that it willseatproperly all Aaround its periphery, providing aiproper against the adjacent deformable weather strip elements.

T hep'rovision 'of the arcuate studsf78 and their cooperating aperturesy 79 `makesit`irr`1p'ossible to. remove a closed door without first unlocking` the door at the lock side thereof and pulling it ajar. For various reasons doors are Vsometimesnhung to 4open outwardly. In areas wher? XICES of wet and dry climatic conditions are encountered, the door itself must be hung with a relatively large amount of clearance to allow for swelling and shrinkage of the door. With a conventional hinge it may `be possible to remove a locked door by removing the hinge pins and opening the door from its hinged side. This cannot be done with the hinge structure of the present invention.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved door frame structure have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as delined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A door frame comprising inner channel-shaped vertical side members adapted to be secured to the vertical margins of a doorway opening, a pair of channel-shaped vertical side members engaged over said first-named side members, a plurality of horizontal, inwardly extending internally threaded sleeves on each side flange of said first-named vertical side members, respective bolts en- `gaged through the side flanges of the second-named vertical side members and threadedly engaging in said sleeves, adjustably securing the side flanges of said second-named vertical side members to the side iianges of said lirstnamed vertical side members, a channel-shaped top member connecting the top ends of said side members, and a threshold member connecting the lower ends of said side members, said side members and topmember being of identical cross sectional shape and having their web portions located inwardly to define a door opening, auxiliary channels formed on said web portions and being substantially narrower than said web portions, whereby to deline a peripheral recess adjacent thereto around the frame to receive the marginal portions of the sides and top of a door, and a plurality of hinges adjustably secured to a portion of one of said side members for hingedly connecting a door to said frame.

2. A door frame comprising inner channel-shaped vertical side members adapted to be secured to the vertical margins of a doorway opening, a pair of channel-shaped vertical side members engaged over said first-named side members, a plurality of horizontal, inwardly extending internally threaded sleeves on each side flange of said first-named vertical side members, respective bolts engaged through the side flanges of the second-named vertical side members and threadedly engaging in said sleeves, adjustably securing the side flanges of said second-named vertical side members to the side anges of said first-named vertical side members, a channel-shaped top member connecting the top ends of said side members, and a threshold member connecting the lower ends of said side members, said side members and top member being of identical cross sectional shape and having their web portions located inwardly to define a door opening, auxiliary channels formed on said web portion substantially midway between the side flanges of said secondnalmed side members and being su-bstantially narrower than said web portions whereby to define peripheral recesses adjacent thereto around the frame to receive the marginal portions of the sides and top of a door, and a plurality of hinges adjustably secured to a portion of the web of one of said second-namedv side members for hingedly connecting a door to said frame.

3. A door frame comprising inner channel-shaped vertical side members adapted to be secured to the vertical margins of a doorway opening, a pair of channel-shaped vertical side members engaged over said first-named side members, a plurality of horizontal, inwardly extending internally threaded sleeves on each side ange of said first-named vertical side members, respective bolts engaged through the side flanges of the second-named vertical side members and threadedly engaging in said sleeves, adjustably securing the side flanges of said second-named vertical side members to the side iianges of said firstnamed vertical side members, a channel-shaped top member connecting the top ends of said side members, and a threshold member' connecting the lower ends of said side members, said side members and top member being of identical cross sectional shape and having their web portions located inwardly to define a door opening, auxiliary channels formed on said web portions substantially midway between the side flanges of said second-named side members and being substantially narrower than said web portions, Iwhereby to define peripheral recesses adjacent thereto around the frame to receive the marginal portions of the sides and top of a door, deformable weather strip elements secured to -said auxiliary channels facing and extending around at least one of said peripheral recesses, a plurality of hinges adjustably secured to a portion of the web of one of said secondnamed side members for hingedly connecting a door to said frame, and a deformable weather strip element secured Ito said threshold member in substantially coplanar relation to the first-named weather strip elements.

4. A door frame comprising inner channel-shaped vertical side members adapted to be secured to the vertical margins of a doorway opening, a pair of channel-shaped vertical side members engaged over said first-named side members, a plurality of horizontal, inwardly extending internally threaded sleeves on each side flange of said first-named vertical side members, respective bolts engaged through the side ilanges of the second-named vertical side members and threadedly engaging in said sleeves, adjustably securing the side flanges of said second-named vertical side members to the side flanges of said rst-named vertical side members, a channel-shaped top member connecting the top ends of said side members, and a threshold member connecting the lower ends of said side members, said side members and top member being of identical cross sectional shape and having their fweb portions located inwardly to deiine a door opening, auxiliary channels formed on said web portions substantially midway between the side flanges of said secondnamed side members and being substantially narrower than said web portions, whereby to dene peripheral recesses adjacent thereto around the frame to receive the marginal portions of the sides and top of a door, respective deformable weather strip elements secured to said auxiliary channels facing and extending around one of said peripheral recesses, a plurality of hinges adjustably secured to a portion of the web of one of said secondnamed side members for hingedly connecting a door to said frame, and an additional deformable weather strip element secured in the top surface of said threshold member and being engagea'ble with the bottom edge of a door fastened to said hinges and receivable in said door frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,557,568 Sanders June 19, 1951 2,608,276 Kelly Aug. 26, 1952 2,700,441 Cudini Jan, 25, 1955 

